Core box



T. D. GLASS July 20, 1965 CORE BOX 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 28, 1963INVENTOK Theodore 0. Glass lam/ 4 m kt yflw dm Fig.2

Hi5 ATTORNEYS 1'. D. GLASS July 20, 1965 CORE BOX 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledMarch 28, 1963 8 H 2| Q I. B Em 2 mm INVEN TOR.

a Z 3 M HIS ATTORNEYS y 1955 T. D. GLASS 3,196,229

CORE BOX Filed March 28, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 5O 48 f g [I 4 4? 49 45 9F lg. 10

I, HIS ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,196,229 CORE BOX Theodore D.Glass, 355 Phoenix Ave, Ehester, W. Va. Fiied Mar. 28, 1%3, Ser. No.269,342 Claims. (Cl. 2l665) This application is a continuation-in-partof my application Serial No. 112,042, filed May 23, 1961, now abandonedand relating to a core box.

This invention relates to boxes, and more particularly to core boxes forstoring and maintaining therein core produced by test drilling andexpoloration of deposits of ores, minerals and the like.

In test boring for ores, minerals and the like, it is frequentlynecessary to bore into the earth for many hundreds of feet. These testborings are made with well-known equipment and it is necessary that thetest boring, known as the core, be saved for subsequent analysis. Thecore is a continuous cylinder composed of the transverse strata of theearth. It is necessary that the core be withdrawn from the test hole andmaintained in storage in the sequence in which it is withdrawn so thatthe depth will be known from which a particular part of the core wascut. Conventional wood core boxes are presently widely used for storingthe core removed from the test hole. These boxes consist of aconventional multisided box into which the core is placed in propersequence with wooden dividers inserted randomly transversely of the coreand marked with the footage depths from which the core was out. Theseknown wooden core boxes are expensive, bulky, lack the desireddurability for their intended use, and have only a limited life.

My invention overcomes the deficiencies and shortcomings of theconventional wooden core boxes and provides a durable, rigid, weatherresistant, compact core box which requires a minimum of storage spacewhile greatly increasing core storage capacity for the space required bythe box. Specifically, my invention is a box comprising a first dividerwhich has integral end and side walls forming a polygon. A continuous,rigid separator within the polygon is afiixed to the walls thereof andis corrugated with ridges and valleys on the top and undersides thereof.The valleys hold the core and one of the end and side walls closes theends of each valley for the depth thereof. The ridges separate thevalleys from one another and the top surface of each ridge for thelength thereof is disposed in the same plane as the top and undersidesurfaces of that one of the end and side walls which closes the ends ofthe valleys. A second divider identical to the first one is positionedover the first divider with the Walls of the dividers in alignment andwith the valley on the underside of the second divider positioned overthe valleys on the top side of the first divider. Thus, the ridges andthe top and bottom surfaces of the dividers meet in an abuttingengagement to form a plurality of closed chambers for containing thecore. The first and second dividers form the box.

In one embodiment of the box, the top surface of each ridge'for thelength thereof is substantially fiat.

Preferably, the dividers are held together as a unit by a locking means.

By adding a third divider identical to the first two, and positioning itover the second divider with the walls of the dividers in alignment, Idouble the capacity of the box formed by two dividers. Disposition ofthe third divider over the second one is such that the valleys on theunderside of the third divider are over the valleys on the top side ofthe second divider and the ridges of the second and third dividers meetto form a second row of a plurality of closed chambers. The first,second and third dividers then form the core box.

In the drawings, I have shown present preferred embodiments of myinvention, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an isometric view of one embodiment of my invention;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken on line IIII of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken on line IIIIII of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken on line IV--IV of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a side elevation view of my core box;

FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG- URE 2 showing asecond embodiment of my core box adapted to store various sizes of core;

FIGURE 7 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG URE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG- URE 6;

FIGURE 9 is a section view similar to FIGURE 6 but with the upperdivider reversed and turned 180 about its horizontal axis disposedperpendicularly to the ridges and valleys thereof;

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary vertical section view of a third embodimentof my invention; and

FIGURE 11 is a view similar to FIGURE 10 but with the top dividerreversed and turned 180 about its horizontal axis disposedperpendicularly to the ridges and valleys thereof. Referring to FIGURES1-5, inclusive, my core box comprises a first divider 10 which isassembled with a second identical divider 11 to form the box. Additionaldividers such as the third identical divider shown assembled withdividers 10 and 11 can be combined to increase storage capacity. Theaddition of the third divider doubles the storage capacity of the boxformed by dividers 1t and 11 while increasing storage requirements forthe box of the three dividers by 50%.

Each divider includes side walls 12 and 13, and end walls 14 and 15. Acorrugated separator 16 is positioned within and molded integral withthe walls. Thus each side of the dividers presents ridges and valleyswhich run for the extent thereof.

The core to be stored in the core box is in three basic sizes: 1% inchdiameter which is known as AX core, 1% inch diameter which is known asBX core, and 2% inch diameter core which is known as NX core.

The BX core is the most popular and accounts for approximately of theboring. Thus, my box is primarilyconstructed to store the BX core.

For a box for storing 1% inch diameter BX core, the box is approximately15 /4 inches wide (the front face of FIGURE 1) and 30 inches long (theright side face of FIGURE 1). The walls of the separator 16 at the point17 separating the various core samples are about Ms inch thick whenfabricated from a durable plastic. The dimensions of the box vary withthe size core being stored and the rigidity desired in the box. I havefound the dimensions stated herein to be desirable and accomplish thepurpose for which the box is intended.

A pair of outwardly extending tongues 18 are affixed to each side wall12 and 13. Each tongue contains a pair of spaced openings 19 and 20. Asshown in FIG URES 2 and 5, a bolt 23 is positioned in one of the holesin a tongue of divider l0 and an aligned hole in divider 11. A square orwing nut 22 is threaded on the bottom of the bolt and maintains thedividers in locked relationship to each other. A single bolt is insertedthrough the aligned holes in each of the four tongues spaced around thedivider periphery. When As additional dividers are added to the box,this staggered arrangement of the bolts is continued. This arrangementof the bolts permits removal of only one of the dividers at a time whilemaintaining other dividers in locked relationship to each other. Thespaced holes 19 and 20 also provide at least one extra hole at eachcorner in the event that one of the holes becomes unusable.

My invention also is usable by inserting a long bolt through three ormore aligned holes at each corner and threading a nut on the bottom ofthe bolt.

The nuts 22 are located sufficiently near the walls 125 and 13 so thatone side of the nut engages the wall to prevent turning of the nut whilethe bolt is being tightened or loosened. V

The divider 16 is basically a corrugated sheet but has fiat areas 24 atthe top of the ridges and bottom of the valleys as shown in FIGURE 2,and these fiat areas extend across the divider for the length of theridges and valleys. Each flat area has a wide groove 25 extending alongthe ridge of the corrugated sheet. A tape 26 is glued in each groove andappropriate markings recorded on the tape 26 to indicate the depth fromwhich the 'adjoining core was taken.

I have shown the core 27 completely enclosed in FIG- URE 2 betweencorrugated sheets 16 of three separate dividers. The core 27 shown inFIGURE 2 is of any desired diameter such as the AX, BX or NX coredescribed above. I have shown small spaces 28 above and below the coresand, although these spaces are desirable, they are not absolutelynecessary in my box. Therefore, the spaces 28 may be rounded to conformto the shape of the core 27.

The flat areas 24 are in abutting relationship as shown in FIGURE 2 whenthe dividers are assembled. Likewise, theend walls of the dividers meetin abutting relationship thereby maintaining the core 27. Within aclosed chamber within the divider. The end Walls 14 and 15 close theends of the chamber for the depth of the valleys (FIG- URE 1) so thatthe core is maintained dry and undisturbed by the completely enclosedchamber.

I also provide a wide groove 29 in one or more of the outside walls ofthe dividers. A tape 30 is positioned in the recess and data relating tothe cores within the di vider is recorded on the tape. This data mayinclude hole number, feet of core, etc. The tape 39 is protected fromthe weather by being recessed into the wall.

-With'a 30-inch long box, each pairs of dividers will hold 12 /2 feet ofcore or three dividers, as shown in FIGURE 2, will hold 25 feet of core.This is substantially more core per unit volume of core box than couldbestored in the wooden core boxes.

i In FIGURE 6, I have shown a second embodiment of my core box which isbasically the same configuration as described in FIGURE 2 with theexception that the corrugated dividers are constructed to hold two sizesof core 31 and 32. The dividers have large valleys. on one side andsmall valleys on the other side. As shown in FIG- URE 6, the largevalleys are aligned to form chambers for big diameter core, and thesmall valleys are aligned to form chambers for small diameter core. Thisconfiguration accomplishes maximum. core storage in minimum core boxvolume; The boxes shown in FIGURES 6,.7

and 8 are fastened together in the same manneras described with respectto the box of FIGURES land 2. I

of the core. The elimination of spaces 34 around core 31 is alsopossible as explained above.

The advantage of the core box shown in FIGURE 6 is that it provides forstorage of various sizes of cores. The upper smaller chambers shown inFIGURE 6 are specifically adapted to receive a 1% inch diameter core(BX) but will also hold a 1%. inch diameter core (AX). The lower largerchambers are adapted to receive a 2 /8 inch diameter core (NX). v

The tops of the ridges of the embodiment of FIGURES 6-9 have flat areas24a the same as the tops of the ridges of the embodiment of FIGURES 1 5and these flat areas 24a extend across the divider for the length of theridges. As shown in FIGURES 69, these flat areas 24a are in abuttingrelationship when the dividers are assembled and these areas are locatedin the same plane as the top and underside surfaces (FIGURE9) of theside and end walls of the dividers HM and 11a with side wall 13a and itstop surface 40 and underside surface'l being shown. The ilat areas24 ofthe embodiment of FIGURES 1-5 have the same disposition relative to thetop and underside surfaces of the side and end walls 12, 13, Hand 15 ofthe dividers Ill and 11 and of the third divider.

Disposition of the top surfaces of the ridges in the same plane as thetop and underside surfaces of the end and side walls of each dividerpermits the divider to be reversed and turned about that horizontal axisthereof disposed transversely of the ridges and valleys thereof or aboutthat horizontal axis disposedparallel to the ridges and valleys. This isshown by FIGURE 9 wherein divider 10a haslbeen reversed so that thedivider Ilia receives support in its reversed position from cooperationbetween the top and underside surfaces of the end and side walls formaintaining it in the reversed position. Such a disposition also impartsto the core box ability for two dividers to form the box without use ofa frame, any additional supports or other members.

FIGURE 7 illustrates the second embodiment of my core box which is usedto store only the smaller cores 32. The empty chambers are not used atall; however, the box shown in FIGURE 7 is not as economical to use asthe boxes shown in FIGURES 2 and 6. V

FIGURE 8 illlustrates the box of FIGURE 6 used for storing only thelarger core .31. Likewise, this box is not as economical to use as thatshown in FIGURES 2' and 6.

FIGURES 10 and 11 Sl'lOW a third embodiment of my invention comprisingdividers 42 and 43 and 44, each of which is identical to one another andincludes side walls and end walls (only sidewall being shown) forforming a polygon. Also, each divider. has a corrugated separator 46which defines ridges 47 and valleys 48 on both the top and undersidesthereof. The top surface of each ridge has a fiat area 49 which extendsacrossthe divider for the length'of the ridges. Like the embodiment ofFIGURES 15, the end walls and the flatareas of this embodiment abut whenthe dividers are assembled with the walls in alignment to form closedchambers 59 witliin the box composed of the dividers. The end walls alsoclose the ends of the chambers. for the depth of the valleys as is thecase with theembodiment of FIGURES 15 to completely enclose the chambersiiil. v

For those valleys such as valley' lda of divider 42 positioned adjacentthe side wall 45 of the divider, such side wvall 45 forms an outer wall51 of the valley As shown in FIGURES l0 and .11, in the plane of the topsurface of each ridge the Width of each ridge throughout its length isgreater than the Width of the opening of each valley into the plane or"the top surface of each ridge. In fact, the top'surface of each ridge iswider than any Width of each valley-for the depth thereof. Additionally,and like the other two embodiments of FIG URES 1-5 and 6 9, the topsurface of each ridge on the top and 'undersides of each separator 46 isin the same plane as the top and underside surfaces of the side and endwalls of each divider, top surface 52 and underside surface 53 of sideWall 45 being shown. Such an arrangement not only imparts reversibilityto each divider, but also, when a divider is reversed, it provides aclosed chamber 54 of substantially one-half the volume of the chambers59 formed by the combination of two dividers. Thus one-half the core canbe used for chemical analysis and the remainder stored in closed chanbers 5d of the divider 43 and formed by the combination of the dividers2-2 and 43 with the divider reversed and turned 180 about its horizontalaxis disposed transversely of the ridges and valleys thereof from theposition of FIGURE to the position of PEGURE ll.

I prefer to fabricate my box from a natural or synthetic plasticmaterial of either the thermoplastic or thermosetting type. The primaryrequirement of the material is that it form a rigid box which is strongand weather resistant. I prefer to use a clear transparent plasticmaterial which provides a good view of the inside core materials. Aspecific example of the material which 1 can use is polyethylene or hardrubber. Any of the plastic materials which I use can be reinforced withglass fiber or a similar reinforcement. The many synthetic plasticswhich I can use are well-known and are set forth on page 665 of EackhsChemical Dictionary Julius Grant, published by the Blalriston Company in1950, which is incorporated by reference herein. Since the time of ublication of this book, there has been developed many new new plasticmaterials which are equally suitable for my box. My box can also be madefrom metal, wood, glass fibers bonded together by a suitable resin, etc.

My invention has important advantages which include formation of a corebox by a combination of two or more dividers positioned over one anotherwith their walls in alignment. Two such dividers require no other piece,frame or member to form the core box, and three such dividers comprise acore box with the same capacity as two conventional core boxes, but atsubstantially less cost and with a requirement for about 50% lessstorage space. Furthermore, the structure of my core box is stronger,more durable and more rugged and enjoys a greater service life than thatof the known core boxes.

Also, some of the embodiments of my invention have a reversible featurewherein one divider is turned 180 about one horizontal axis disposedperpendicularly to the ridges and valleys thereof or about a secondhorizontal axis disposed parallel to the ridges and valleys. After suchreversal, the core box has twice as many chambers and, in some cases,twice as many completely enclosed chambers and two such dividers form acomplete box.

Additionally, the core box lends itself to low cost manufacture, namely,production of a single divider which is usable in one of two reversiblepositions with one or more additional identical dividers to form a corebox composed of the two or more dividers and Without requirement for anadditional frame, member, part, etc.

While I have described the present preferred embodiments of myinvention, it may be otherwise embodied Within the scope of thefollowing claims.

I claim:

l. A storage box comprising at least three dividers, each divider havingend and side walls forming a polygon, a continuous rigid separatorwithin the polygon and connected to said walls, said separator beingcorrugated with ridges and valleys on the top and undersides thereofeach of said ridges and said valleys running for substantially theextent of said separator, said valleys being adapted to hold articles tobe stored, each end of each of said valleys being closed for the depththereof by said walls, said ridges being adapted to separate articles insaid valleys, the top surface of each ridge for the length thereof beingdisposed in the same plane as the top and underside surfaces of saidwalls which close the ends of said valleys, said dividers being diposedover one another with the walls thereof substantially in alignment, thevalleys in the underside of one divider being positioned over thevalleys in the top side of another divider and the ridges and the topand bottom surfaces of said dividers meeting in abutting engagement toform a plurality of completely closed chambers, said first, second andthird dividers forming said box.

2. A box according to claim 1 including locking means to hold thedividers together as a unit.

3. A box according to claim 1 wherein the chambers between the first andsecond dividers are a dilferent size than the chambers between thesecond and third dividers,

The storage box of claim 1 characterized by the top surface of eachridge for the length thereof being substantially iiat.

5. The storage box of claim 1 characterized by in the plane of the topsurfaces of each ridge, the width of each of said ridges throughout itslength being greater than the width of the opening of each valley intosaid plane of the top surface of each ridge.

References tilted by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 918,666 4/ l9Stillwell 84-44 2,766,660 10/56 Laddon 89-15 2,778,490 6/ 57 Emery 206FOREIGN PATENTS 5 3 1,345 10/56 Canada.

THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner. EARLE I. DRUMMOND, Examiner.

1. A STORAGE BOX COMPRISING AT LEAST THREE DIVIDERS, EACH DIVIDER HAVINGEND AND SIDE WALLS FORMING A POLYGON, A CONTINUOUS RIGID SEPARATORWITHIN THE POLYGON AND CONNECTED TO SAID WALLS, SAID SEPARATOR BEINGCORRUGATED WITH RIDGES AND VALLEYS ON THE TOP AND UNDERSIDES THEREOFEACH IF SAID RIDGES AND SAID VALLEYS RUNNING FOR SUBSTANTIALLY THEEXTENT OF SAID SEPARATOR, SAID VALLEYS BEING ADAPTED TO HOLD ARTICLES TOBE STORED, EACH END OF EACH OF SAID VALLEYS BEING CLOSED FOR THE DEPTHTHEREOF BY SAID WALLS, SAID RIDGES BEING ADAPTED TO SEPERATE ARTICLES INSAID VALLEYS, THE TOP SURFACE OF EACH RIDGE FOR THE LENGTH THEREOF BEINGDISPOSED IN THE SAME PLANE AS THE TOP AND UNDERSIDE SURFACES OF SAIDWALLS WHICH CLOSE THE ENDS OF SAID VALLEYS, SAID DIVIDERS BEING DIPOSEDOVER ONE ANOTHER WITH THE WALLS THEREOF SUBSTANTIALLY IN ALIGNMENT, THEVALLEYS IN THE UNDERSIDE OF ONE DIVIDER BEING POSITIONED OVER THEVALLEYS IN THE TOP SIDE OF ANOTHER DIVIDER AND THE RIDGES AND THE TOPAND BOTTOM SURFACES OF SAID DIVIDERS MEETING IN ABUTTING ENGAGEMENT TOFORM A PLURALITY OF COMPLETELY CLOSED CHAMBERS, SAID FIRST, SECOND ANDTHIRD DIVIDERS FORMING SAID BOX.